TC police may arrest far-right GC protesters

PROTESTERS from the Greek Cypriot far-right could face arrest by Turkish Cypriot police forces if they violate the border at the Derinya checkpoint during a demonstration due to take place this evening.

A flyer for the protest, being organised by the Popular National Front ( Elam) and backed by the “Isaac-Solomos Memorial Initiative”, invites “all citizens of Cyprus to the resistance meeting” who “perceive the need for justice, freedom and democracy, to shout out that we do not compromise anything less than the return of Famagusta, Kyrenia, Morphou, Karpasia, Mesaoria, [and] Nicosia”.

It adds “We are all Famagustians”. The border protest, which is due to take place at 7.30pm, will be the third by Greek Cypriots since the Turkish

Cypriot government decided to reopen part of the Gazimağusa suburb of Maraş nine days ago.

A TRNC police spokesman told CyprusToday that “the necessary precautions have been taken” in case of any violence or border breach.

“If any protestor slams through the barricades and illegally enters the military area [of the border zone], we will arrest [them].”

Last Sunday around 200 demonstrators waving a Greek flag caused damage on the southern side of the Derinya crossing point, and started a fire in a field in the buffer zone after setting off fireworks.

Gazimağusa mayor İsmail Arter slammed the planned protest, saying: “Ever since Maraş was partially opened, thousands of people have visited it every day . . . including a considerable number of Greek Cypriots.

“Staging such protests serves only to poison relations between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

“It has been stated that Maraş property owners will be able to return to their homes under the Immovable Property Commission. Why are they opposing this? It is worrying to see such level of extremism and hostility.”

Meanwhile Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT) youth branch coordinator Veli Koreli warned Turkish Cypriot young people not to stage any counter-protest to the Greek Cypriot “provocation” at Derinya.

“The fascist Elam organisation is continuing its protests . . . we call upon our patriotic police- and army-loving youth not to go to any protest that is aimed at provoking us,” he said

“Our attendance would only cause more burdens on our security forces and police, who will already be performing their duty in protecting us.

“If any youth still attends we ask them not to enter into any provocative act.”